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What is the difference between bill of lading and mate’s receipt?

Bill of lading is a legal document between the shipper of a particular good and the carrier detailing the type, quantity and destination of the good being carried. The bill of lading also serves as a receipt of shipment when the good is delivered to the predetermined destination. This document must accompany the shipped goods, no matter the form of transportation, and must be signed by an authorized representative from the carrier, shipper and receiver.

Mate’s receipt is a document originally issued by the first mate of the ship. He was the officer responsible for cargo. The document would be issued by him after the cargo was tallied into the ship by tally clerks. The shipper or his representative would then take the mate’s receipt to the master or the agent to exchange it for a bill of lading, which would incorporate any conditions inserted into tne mate’s receipt.

Bill of lading is basically a document which contains all details of cargo whereas the use of Mate’s receipt is it describes the quality of each package of cargo. Bill of lading is signed by master of vessel only but Mate’s  receipt is signed by vessel’s mate or 2nd officer.